Tarana Burke and Brené on Being Heard and Seen

The 'Unlocking Us with Brené Brown' podcast episode featuring Tarana Burke delves into a candid discussion about the origins and impact of the Me Too movement, the complexities of survivorship, and the importance of empathy. Brené opens by expressing her profound respect for Tarana, who has been a champion for racial justice and gender equity for nearly three decades. Tarana shares her personal journey, including her recent engagement to a man she has known for over 30 years, reflecting on the nature of love and vulnerability. Their conversation then transitions to the Me Too movement, which Tarana founded in 2006 to interrupt sexual violence and support survivors, particularly Black women and girls.

Throughout the episode, Tarana and Brené discuss the evolution of the Me Too movement, its intersection with racial justice, and the backlash it faces, particularly within the Black community. Tarana emphasizes the movement's focus on empathy and healing rather than anger or shame. They touch on the cultural nuances of survivorship that vary across different communities, highlighting the need for a survivor-centered approach that respects individual experiences of trauma. The episode also explores the challenges of holding multiple truths simultaneously, such as acknowledging the history of false accusations against Black men while also recognizing the prevalence of sexual violence against Black women.

Tarana speaks about the importance of not using shame as a tool for social justice, as it perpetuates the very issues the movement seeks to address. She stresses the need for creating spaces where survivors feel seen and heard, and where empathy serves as the foundation for empowerment. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the power of empathy in building movements and the transformative potential of truly listening to and believing survivors' stories.